6. H.B.D

Months had passed since Zhoey found a job, and life had finally settled into a steady rhythm. She was earning her own salary, slowly rebuilding herself after everything that had happened.

One morning, a sudden knock on her door woke her. Groggy, she shuffled over and pulled it open, revealing Kelvin standing there with a small box in his hands.

"Morning," he greeted.

Zhoey yawned. "You're up early."

Kelvin hesitated, then held out the box. "I need you to give this to Ty."

Zhoey squinted at him. "Why me? Why not do it yourself?"

"He won't take it if he knows it's from me," Kelvin admitted.

She smirked. "So, you want me to be your delivery girl?"

"Just this once," Kelvin pleaded.

Zhoey sighed and took the box. "Fine. But you owe me breakfast."

Kelvin grinned. "Deal."

Later that morning, Zhoey walked to Ty's door, the box tucked under her arm. She knocked, waiting.

The door opened, and her breath hitched.

Ty stood before her, wearing only a short. His lean but toned physique was on full display, his dark eyes heavy with sleep.

Zhoey quickly looked away, composing herself before shoving the box at him.

"Happy birthday," she said.

Ty stared at the box, then at her, his face unreadable. Without a word, he took the gift and—without so much as a 'thank you'—shut the door in her face.

Zhoey blinked. "Rude," she muttered before walking away.

That afternoon, a knock sounded at Zhoey's door. When she opened it, Collins stood there, his usual carefree expression replaced by something more serious.

"Can we talk?" he asked.

She led him to the balcony, where the air was crisp with the evening breeze. Collins leaned against the railing, exhaling heavily.

"I wanted to apologize," he said.

Zhoey folded her arms. "For what?"

"For how I acted before. For not seeing things clearly… for everything."

She tilted her head. "You don't have to explain. I remember everything now."

Collins stiffened. "You… remember?"

"Every detail," she confirmed.

He swallowed hard. "Then what do you plan to do?"

A slow smirk played on Zhoey's lips. "I'm stupidly wise, Collins. And I enjoy revenge."

His expression darkened. "Revenge isn't the answer, Zhoey."

"Maybe," she said with a shrug. "But it's fun."

"Promise me you won't do anything reckless."

She gave him a playful look. "I can't promise that."

Before he could respond, Collins' phone rang. He sighed and answered.

Adrian's voice blasted through the speaker. "Collins! We're throwing a surprise party for Ty tonight!"

Collins winced. "Lower your volume, Adrian."

Adrian ignored him. "No one is supposed to wish him happy birthday until the party. Spread the word!"

Collins sighed. "Fine. I'll tell Zhoey."

After the call, he turned back to her. "The others are planning a surprise party for Ty. We have to pretend we forgot his birthday until then."

Zhoey's lips twitched. "I like it."

That evening, the group gathered quietly, waiting for the right moment to surprise Ty.

Adrian nudged Zhoey. "You should knock on his door."

"Why me?" she asked, unimpressed.

"Because you're annoying enough to make him open it," Adrian said with a grin.

Collins chuckled. "Agreed."

Zhoey rolled her eyes but stepped up to the door. Then, smirking, she knocked and called out, "Ty! The lab is on fire!"

The door flung open instantly. Ty, looking half-alarmed, scanned the area. "What?!"

At that moment, everyone shouted, "Happy Birthday!"

Ty froze, blinking in confusion. Then, realizing he'd been tricked, he exhaled sharply and muttered, "Idiots."

Despite his gruff tone, there was the faintest hint of amusement in his eyes.

The party kicked off, filled with laughter, food, and drinks. Some guests got a little too carried away—Kevin, for instance, ended up drinking too much and needed help.

Meanwhile, Zhoey watched as Ty received his gifts, wondering what he would think of the snow globe.

Late at night, after the party had ended, Ty sat alone in his room.

His foot nudged aside some wrapping paper as he scanned through the gifts he had received. One particular box caught his attention.

Curious, he picked it up and opened it. Inside was a smaller box. He pulled it out, flipped the lid open, and found himself staring at a snow globe.

A blue house sat inside, surrounded by swirling artificial snow—a frozen Christmas scene.

Ty's fingers tightened around it.

Unwanted memories surfaced—his parents fighting, his father leaving and never coming back. His mother's funeral, the empty seat where his father should have been.

For a long moment, he simply stared at the globe.

Then, unexpectedly, a small chuckle escaped his lips.

Not bitter. Not broken. Just… amused.

He set the snow globe on his desk, where he could always see it.

After a long shower, he climbed into bed, exhausted.

His gaze drifted back to the snow globe one last time before sleep finally claimed him.

And for the first time in years, he felt a little less alone.